Job Summary
The post holder will assist the Chaplaincy Department in providing diverse and person-centred religious, spiritual and pastoral care to all members of the hospital community, guided by the Lead Chaplain.
This is a pre-registration post, which will provide the necessary experience that could lead to an application for full registration with the UK Board of Healthcare Chaplains. It requires the post holder to have some experience and skills in pastoral and spiritual care that will be nurtured and refined in a hospital chaplaincy setting.
The post holder is required to work as part of a team committed to developing an exemplary spiritual and pastoral service within the Dudley Group
Main duties of the job
To assist the Chaplaincy team in providing for the religious, spiritual & pastoral needs of all patients, family members and staff within the DGFT.
To pro-actively facilitate the expression of all faith and belief groups within the Trust community.
To respond in a timely manner for a request for a bedside visit to offer pastoral and spiritual support.
To carry out initial spiritual needs assessment using listening skills and validated assessment tools.
To support patients and bereaved relatives by providing compassionate religious, spiritual and pastoral care.
To facilitate visits from local faith leaders in response to patient requests.
To assist the Lead Chaplain to ensure that the service provided by the Team is for all people of faiths and beliefs, including non-religious, spiritual and Humanist.
To assist with Staff Well Being initiatives involving Chaplaincy input.
To provide emotional and spiritual support for parents and families who have experienced pregnancy loss.
To assist with the conducting of baby cremation services and hospital contract funerals.
To contribute to multi-faith and secular events and festivals hosted by the department.
To attend Chaplaincy team meetings and other training offered by the Trust or outside agencies.
To participate in very occasional on-call duties.
Qualification and education
Essential
- Formal qualification (at any level) in theology, counselling, social/youth work, healthcare or related caring fields
Desirable
- Educated to A-Level or equivalent
Knowledge and Training
Essential
- Broad understanding of the nature and diversity of human spirituality
- Understanding of the importance of spiritual and existential issues during significant moments in life
- Working knowledge of Microsoft software packages
Experience
Essential
- Experience in public, private or third sector organisations that offer care or support to members of the public
- Practical experience in assisting with faith/belief related activities
Desirable
- Experience of a voluntary role or placement within a chaplaincy team in any context
Communication & Relationship Skills
Essential
- High level of verbal and written communication skills
- Demonstrates respect and sensitivity to the cultural, spiritual and/or religious care needs of others
- Act with integrity, sensitivity and understanding.
- Be inclusive and supportive of people from all backgrounds and lifestyles, including those whose decisions and behaviours you don’t agree with
Analytical & Judgement Skills
Essential
- A readiness to adapt and be flexible.
Desirable
- Demonstrates an understanding of own development needs
- Able to understand own limits and responsibilities (boundaries)
Planning & Organisational Skills
Essential
- Able to plan own work load
Desirable
- Evidence of skills in managing sensitive and/or confidential information, including legal obligations
- Ability to work as part of a diverse team
EDI
Essential
- Values and behaviours that reflect the Trust values of Care, Respect and Responsibility Shows EDI QUALITIES, REMINDER
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Closing Date: 21 November 2025
